The 1980s will be remembered for the liftback coupe, a bodystyle that, aside from the Nissan 370Z and a few other isolated cases, is mostly nonexistent today. In all likelihood, the late 2000s and early 2010s will be remembered in 20 years time by a spate of bizarre lifted four-door 'coupes' that popped onto the market.

Much like those liftback coupes, most of which were eventually replaced by traditional trunks, it doesn't appear vehicles like the Acura ZDX and Honda Crosstour are long for this world (the exception being the BMW X6, which will almost certainly see a second generation or at least a significant refresh). Sales of five of the six four-door coupe-crossovers on the market had a year-over-year drop in September of anywhere from 39 to 80 percent, according to a new report from Automotive News. The Infiniti FX/QX70, Toyota Venza, Accord Crosstour, BMW X6 and 5 Series GT all saw drops, while the ZDX saw its sales drop even further, making it about as popular as Congress these days.

This news wouldn't be tough to swallow were the rest of the industry down as well. But with sales of traditional luxury crossovers up ten percent so far in 2013 and the overall crossover segment up 15 percent overall, the losses by the four-door CCs is rather glaring.

Part of the reason for the sales drop is likely due to simple human nature – these are fashion-forward vehicles that make a statement. The result is that the people who are truly interested in them buy them early and are quick to move on to the next big thing, giving these models a very brief shelf life, not unlike sportscars and most convertibles. That said, there's no shortage of more practical issues that limited their broader appeal. Besides the additional price of entry demanded by the coupes, their lack of rear headroom, limited visibility and diminished utility have arguably made them a tough sell with consumers, particularly when they're forced to share showroom space with more conventional platform-mates.

Part of the reason for the sales drop is likely due to simple human nature – these are fashion-forward vehicles that make a statement. The result is that the people who are truly interested in them buy them early and are quick to move on to the next big thing

I think its because all of them are hideous, except for the x6, which is probably why its the only one that that will survive.

it was a stupid idea from the get go. Lets take a large heavy car and give it a roof line that is so ridiculous that we kill the rear head room and destroy all hopes for cargo space. Simply stupid. No other way to look at it. I laugh when I see someone in an X6 or the two time I have seen the Acura ZDX. They should have know better

The ISF......The perfect car for an enthusiast. It can be driven to the track, run hard all day , and then transport me hundreds of miles to my home in luxury and comfort to pick up the wife for dinner and a movie....

My thought exactly. Another swipe at Toyota by AB? (They will take any chance they can get.)

I don't know what the sales of the Venza wagon are like in the USA but here in Canada, they are selling quite well, likely far outselling the Highlander from what I can see (judging by how many I see on the roads).

I'll tell you why they aren't selling, because it was a dumb idea to start with. Hey lets make a big, heavy, jacked up AWD station wagon with such a ridiculous roofline as to where the rear seat is cramped and cargo room is no better or worse than a similar sized sedan.

As for the 1980's "liftback" coupe thing, that was actually a good idea IMO. Friend has an Acura RSX, and its amazing how much crap you can get in that car with the rear seat folded down. Cargo space is infinitely superior vs a traditional Civic coupe with a normal trunk. Same thing with the old 1999 Camaro I had, lots of room with the rear seat down, you could fit a whole bike in the back of that car.

My thought exactly. Another swipe at Toyota by AB? (They will take any chance they can get.)

I don't know what the sales of the Venza wagon are like in the USA but here in Canada, they are selling quite well, likely far outselling the Highlander from what I can see (judging by how many I see on the roads).

Sales thru Sept., Highlander 90k +5% and Venza 29k -7%.

I agree that it's quite a stretch to call the Venza a crossover coupe - It's more like a crossover wagon.

My thought exactly. Another swipe at Toyota by AB? (They will take any chance they can get.)

I don't know what the sales of the Venza wagon are like in the USA but here in Canada, they are selling quite well, likely far outselling the Highlander from what I can see (judging by how many I see on the roads).

I've noticed a lot more Venza's in Canada than the US. It might be because Canadians like the idea of taller AWD Camry's more than Americans? Or more likely the pricing schedule... Venza's are considerably cheaper than Highlanders here vs the difference in the US for some reason. Recent rebates make the difference even more. But the Venza is losing out compared to other brand competitors in the US too. (Not a lot of love for it on this board either).

But in any event, AB is smoking some high end Bud to lug the Venza in the same category style-wise as the ZDX or the X6, or even the FX. I think they just needed any examples of slowing sales of car models which they can even remotely associate, to support an article discussing the downfall of the crossover coupe segment since they needed more than just the ZDX and X6 to support that conclusion.

I've noticed a lot more Venza's in Canada than the US. It might be because Canadians like the idea of taller AWD Camry's more than Americans? Or more likely the pricing schedule... Venza's are considerably cheaper than Highlanders here vs the difference in the US for some reason. Recent rebates make the difference even more. But the Venza is losing out compared to other brand competitors in the US too. (Not a lot of love for it on this board either).

I don't know what kind of wheels/tires they use on the Canadian versions, but one thing, IMO, that is impacting on U.S. Venza sales are the standard 19" and 20" wheels on the 4 and V6 versions. They are simply too large, too expensive to replace, too rough-riding, and too lacking in impact/pothole protection for widespread daily-driver use in a moderately-priced vehicle. Wide, low-profile tires like those can also also be somewhat deficient in winter traction, though, of course, the Venza's optional AWD helps with that.